‘Terrific’ Scots put Irish to the sword

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Scotland U21s recorded only their second win on Irish soil and Skye Camanachd U17 lifted the Marine Harvest London Shield following the shinty action on Saturday November 3, 2018.

Shinty/hurling international

Ireland U21 (1-10) 13
Scotland U21 (6-7) 25

Scotland U21 turned in a terrific display to beat Ireland U21 25-13 in their shinty/hurling international at the impressive GAA National Games Development Centre in Dublin.

The Scots went into this 2pm throw-in in the knowledge that they had only previously recorded one win on Irish soil at this level and that came in 2014. Boss Alan MacRae went for experience but he did give Newtonmore’s Iain Robinson and Kingussie’s Roddy Young debuts in attack. The other debutants – Oban Camanachd’s Daniel Sloss, Oban Celtic’s Ross MacMillan, Jonnie MacAskill from Glasgow Mid Argyll and Findlay MacDonald from Lochaber – all started on the bench. Caberfeidh’s Blair Morrison captained the Scots on what was his fifth appearance at this level.

Iain Robinson cancelled out an early Irish point before Roddy Young’s debut goal put the Scots 4-1 ahead. Boss MacRae was exciting about his side’s fire-power ahead of the game and Young’s goal didn’t disappoint. Robert Mabon played a long ball over the defence and Young beat both full backs for pace before taking the ball around keeper Thomas Dowling and slotting it into the net.

The hosts added another point before the Scots introduced Ross MacMillan at half back and Innes Blackhall and a two-pointer from Iain Robinson gave Scotland a hard-earned 7-2 lead at the end of a fast and furious first half.

Scotland surged further ahead from the restart and, with just a minute gone, substitute Findlay MacDonald gathered possession in a deep position and he turned and ran at the Irish defence before blasting the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box to notch his debut goal.

And it was another substitute who made the difference shortly after as the ball broke from a tackle to Alexander MacMillan at the edge of the box and the Fort William man struck a shot low and hard into the bottom corner of the net to increase Scotland’s cushion to 13-2.

Iain Robinson added a point before John Gillies attracted the attention of referee Archie Ritchie and he was booked.

Ireland pulled a point back but Iain Robinson added another two-pointer so the Scots now led 16-3.

Ireland got four more points closer before Iain Robinson and Roddy Young again found the net to make it 22-7. For Robinson’s debut goal, he managed to turn his man quite far out before driving towards goal and eventually rounding keeper Thomas Dowling and slipping the ball into the net for what was a great individual goal. Young’s second strike saw him get on the end of a ball in behind the defence and he drilled a shot low shot past the keeper.

Ireland fought back again with Clare’s Aaron Shanagher scoring a goal and they converted another three points to pull the score back to 22-13.

However, Iain Robinson took his tally to 12 points when he scored his second goal of the afternoon near the end of the contest. A good run from Innes Blackhall ended when his shot fell kindly for Robinson and he turned the ball home to make the final score 25-13.

Scotland captain Blair Morrison stepped forward to reclaim the Marine Harvest Quaich which the Irish won last year in Inverness.

Marine Harvest
North Division 2
Lochaber W/O
v Beauly

The Lochaber second team were given a walk-over as the Beauly second team were unable to raise a team for their clash at Spean Bridge.

Lochaber were awarded the points and they leap-frog the Kilmallie seconds to finish sixth in the division.

The Fort were 2-1 winners earlier in the season when the sides met in the MacTavish Juvenile Cup semi-finals before going on to lift the trophy so this was always going to be a close affair.

Skye struck first as Ruaraidh MacLeod hammered home a half-volley, 20 yards from goal, with the ball going low into the net, giving keeper Struan Steven no chance.

Ruaraidh MacLeod got his and Skye’s second on 27 minutes and it was another great goal. This time the ball was played in to Ross Gordon and he slipped a pass to MacLeod in space and he turned and sent a shot screaming into the roof of the net, again from around 20 yards’ range.

Fort William’s response was swift though and Greig Kelly pulled a goal back just a couple of minutes later. Kelly lobbed an effort at goal from distance and the ball dropped into the net to make it 2-1.

Skye’s James Morrison was booked by referee Calum Girvan just before half time and the islanders deservedly took their single goal cushion into the break.

Skye head coach Kenny MacLeod introduced Calum MacKay on for James Morrison on 59 minutes.

Whilst it had been an even start to the second half, Fort William pressed hard for a leveller during the last 20 minutes.

However the Skye defence stayed strong with buckshee back Connor Gilpin outstanding and full back Jamie Gillies commanding.

Fort head coach Ali Clark had brought on Victor Smith and he had a half-chance but his effort went over with Jamie Gillies challenging well. Skye then had keeper Murphy Henderson to thank for a good save to deny Victor Smith with just four minutes to go. Henderson also cleared the ball wide towards the corner flag before the Fort could profit from the rebound and Skye stayed in front until the end.

There was little between the teams and full centres William MacKinnon for Skye and Fort William’s Lachie Shaw both played well, cancelling each other out in the middle of the park.

Ross MacKinnon and Connor Gilpin were also terrific for the islanders.

However, Skye’s Ruaraidh MacLeod, whose two cracking goals made the difference, was the unanimous choice as man of the match and he was the first recipient of the Douglas MacKintosh Memorial Medal. With Ronald Ross and Graham Cormack from the Camanachd Association in attendance along with Youth Director Willie MacDonald, the Marine Harvest London Shield was presented to Skye captain Jamie Gillies.

Bute U14 Win League

Bute U14 clinched the South U14 title following their 1-1 draw with Oban Lorn U14 at the school campus on Sunday 4 November 2018.

This 1.30pm throw up was played on a warm winter’s day in front of a large and enthusiastic support.

In what was their final league game of the season, Bute knew a win or a draw would be enough to give them the championship but an Oban win would have forced an extra-time period to decide the title destination.

After a goalless first half, Mairi Inglis put Oban Lorne ahead and it stayed that way until the death when Rory McDonald scored the equalising goal that won the league.

Euan McMurdo from the Camanachd Association was on hand to present the winners’ shield.

Oban Camanachd end of season fun day

The teams have been announced for the Oban Camanachd end of season fun day which takes place at Mossfield on Saturday November 17.

The fun starts at 12.30pm with the first games at 1pm and there are eight teams taking part, split into two groups to play in an initial round-robin format.

Beauly are seeking expressions of interest for the position of first team manager.

It is Beauly club policy to ensure all senior coaching appointments are available and advertised on a two-year cycle, with a review held at the end of the first season and applications always invited at the end of the second term.

Scotland U21 Head Coach Alan MacRae has managed the Marine Harvest National Division side for the last two seasons and he has been invited to confirm an interest again this time around.

In a busy week for Beauly, their U14 side added the Marine Harvest North U14 title to the MacMaster Cup won earlier in the season following their 13-0 victory over Glenurquhart U14. James Morrison, Finlay MacLennan and Innes Davidson all grabbed hat-tricks, Callum MacVicar bagged a double whilst Leon MacLellan and Kieran Rennie got the others.

Meantime, the club’s player of the year awards were also announced and the Donnie Fraser trophy for senior player of the year went to Angus Renwick, who also collected the Lymburn Family trophy for players’ player of the year.

Robbie MacDonald won the Ken Fraser Shield as second team player of the year.

Duncan Fraser Anderson was presented with the emerging player of the year award by committee member Iain Petrie.

Club committee member Robbie Stewart was the recipient of the Jock Mackenzie Memorial Shield (unsung hero award) for all his efforts with the Braeview Park pitch.

Ardnamurchan Ladies draw with the Irish

Ardnamurchan Ladies (1-2) 5
Naomh Uinnsinn Ladies (1-2) 5

It was honours even following the shinty/camogie friendly match between Ardnamurchan Ladies and their Naomh Uinnsinn counterparts at Strontian on Saturday November 3.

A Jodie Maclennan goal and two points from Kirsty Campbell counted for Ardnamurchan in this 1pm throw-in but Robyn Fitzpatrick’s goal and two points from Dervia Parker ensured a share of the spoils.

Badenoch and Strathspey Ladies celebrate 10 years

Badenoch and Strathspey Ladies have announced plans to celebrate their 10-year anniversary.

The Marine Harvest Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup winners will host a shinty sixes competition on Saturday November 17 and all WCA clubs should have by now received details by e-mail.

Later in the evening, there will be a ceilidh in Newtonmore Village Hall which is open to all over 18s. Tickets are £15 and can be bought from any senior players.